PsychologyJuly 8, 2026

comorbidity

/koʊ.mɔːrˈbɪd.ə.ti/

Definition

The simultaneous presence of two or more distinct medical or psychological conditions in the same patient, which often complicates treatment planning.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'cum' (with) and 'morbus' (disease), combined with the suffix '-ity' to denote a state or condition. It was coined in 1970 by A.R. Feinstein to describe the coexistence of multiple conditions.

In the news

The article identifies comorbidity as a complex real-world factor that standard psychological guidelines often fail to account for, necessitating more personalized, data-informed care.

Transforming psychological practice with precision mental health: introduction to the NOVA project

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